The study reviewed data from 23 studies carried out in the USA, Europe, Asia and Australia covering over a million people. The researchers looked at the effect of differing levels of physical activity alone, independent of dietary changes, demonstrated that doing something was better than nothing, however, the greatest benefits were for those who exceed the recommended levels of physical activity.

Dr Soren Brage, co-author of the study from the University of Cambridge, added:

"This research shows that some physical activity is good, but more is better.

We already know that physical activity has a major role to play in tackling the growing worldwide epidemic of type 2 diabetes. These new results add more detail to our understanding of how changes in the levels of physical activity across populations could impact the incidence of disease. They also lend support to policies to increase physical activity at all levels. This means building environments that make physical activity part of everyday life.”

Self-reported data suggests that a third of adults (15 years or older) globally are not meeting the recommended targets - due to an ever-increasing sedentary lifestyle. [3]

World Health Organisation guidelines suggest avoiding sedentary behaviour and undertake a minimum of physical activity equivalent to 20 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a day for better health. But doing six times more, two hours a day, could offer even more benefits, a study reveals.

It was a pleasure to appear on BBC One's Doctor In the House Series 2, Ep 4 with Dr Rangan Chatterjee on the 27 June in the UK. Dr Chatterjee is at the forefront of GP's looking at lifestyle prevention rather than just a 'pill'.

This screen time is applied to TV, tablets, mobile phones, games consoles and computers with under-fives in Britain spending over four hours and older children averaging over five and a half hours a day according to the communications watchdog Ofcom in the 2016 report Children and parents: media use and attitudes report 2016.

Meeting the recommended 150 minutes a week of physical activity can reduce a person's risk of developing type 2 diabetes by up to 26% according to new research by scientists at University College London and the University of Cambridge published in the journal Diabetologia.

Diabetes (diabetes mellitus)

A disease in which the body is unable to regulate the glucose (sugar) in the blood. In the type I form of diabetes, the body is unable to produce insulin. In type II diabetes (about 90% of cases) the body is unable to use insulin properly or doesn't produce enough insulin to manage blood glucose levels.

While play was once thought of as a childhood activity, scientific research has identified many of the benefits of play for adults too. The benefits are not only physical benefits - there are social, emotional and mental benefits to engaging in play on a regular basis.

While play was once thought of as a childhood activity, scientific research has identified many of the benefits of play for adults too. The benefits are not only physical benefits - there are social, emotional and mental benefits to engaging in play on a regular basis.

Just shuffle the deck and build your own workouts with your favorite exercises. Endless possible combinations will keep your workout sessions interesting and challenging. All you need is some space to move – your living room, back garden, the local park or the gym!